Shed of the Year

The Shed of the Year competition conceived here in Cardiff, is set to appear on hit TV series ‘Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year’, airing on Channel 4 this summer. Here are some of Cardiff’s entrants over the years.

The State Lodge

Stephen Our shed is special because it allows us to make happy memories with lots of family and friends. People who may go years without seeing each other are able to catch up in our shed. We have get togethers for any old reason, be it the Six Nations rugby, a birthday or baby shower, Bank Holidays, Christmas or to travel back to the 80s for a Ska Night! With a dedicated ‘Veteran’s Corner’ the older generation put the world to rights, while others have a good chin wag at the bar or relax on the reclining sofas.

The idea of building a shed was to originally have a summer house in the garden. With no prior experience in building a shed, we decided it could be a summer project for 2015. Starting from scratch, it took a week to build the main structure and a second week (evenings only) to do the fiddly bits and pieces. Building a bar from scraps of wood and sourcing internal decoration took a bit more time but it has been an enjoyable journey. We have photographed every stage of the build and have put together a portfolio which ‘tells the story’ of the build.

Adjoining the shed is a brick structure which we have tied into the shed and use a cellar to house the barrels of beer which have now have delivered from a brewery! The entire build has also been a talking point for many people and we have even restored an old bar table which was acquired from a friend who had salvaged it from an old local pub many years ago. We got family and friends to decide on a name for the shed and after much deliberation we decided to go with ‘The State Lodge’. The reason we went with ‘The State Lodge’ is that the word ‘State’ is made up of letters from our names (Stephen and Kate) and primarily because whoever turns up for a shin dig is guaranteed to leave in a state!

Signal Box Shed

Arfon The shed is part of my garden station – it’s the signal box and platform on the edge of the lawn.

I know I’ve got a long wait for a train but I love it – there’s nothing better than relaxing on my own station platform. Sitting inside my signal box with my station master sign on the door is pretty good fun too.

My interest in trains began as a young lad growing up in Aberystwyth as my school was right next to the railway line.

Fairy Tale Hut

Hugh My shed reflects my observance that nothing in nature is square. I wanted to make a structure with natural shapes, a conical roof and a flowing design, using natural timbers where I could.

It was inspired by nature and the historical Trulli houses of northern Italy. I have used twisted ivy vines to drape the entrance which creates a magical deep woodland feel, complete with a gargoyle of a crown jester, which I couldn’t resist.

It has a hand clefted Sweet Chestnut shingle roof, a vestibule, stained glass interior window and arched picture window with traditional shutters.
It can be anything – an office, a sewing room, a magical tree house or an overnight escape. The white walls reflect light making it an ideal relaxed space. I like chilling in it with a beer and my dog.

This was originally earmarked as a store for my husband’s bikes but I sort of made it into a ‘girl cave’ and subsequently my painting ‘shedudio’.

When the wine is open and the girls are in, it’s known as the Angel Arms. And because it is so girly, my husband has christened it The Shedouir.

MegaShed

Chris It is a 4.8m x 4.8m wooden box, divided into two rooms.

The smaller room is used as a shed, with wall-to-wall shelving, an integrated workbench and Raspberry Pi-powered PC. The other larger room is used as a second lounge or study/dining room/children’s play area, whatever is required.

Originally a hard-standing area for a car, my wife and I decided it would be useful to create an additional living space on it as a cheaper alternative to moving.

Seb’s Summer Shed

Chris It is a 4.8m x 4.8m wooden box, divided into two rooms.

The smaller room is used as a shed, with wall-to-wall shelving, an integrated workbench and Raspberry Pi-powered PC. The other larger room is used as a second lounge or study/dining room/children’s play area, whatever is required.